What can i plant around a septic tank?

[FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse]

Our septic tank is on a bank, the tank itself sticks out and looks bloody awful. Pure garden was very neglected when we bought it, and I've been battling the brambles and nettles around it constantly.

I would like to plant something to hide it, it's west-facing so gets the evening sun as it spends most of the day in the house's shadow.

I was thinking something that can hold its own, like a buddleia would be nice below it as a screen.

I also need something that ideally would climb and spread over the bank (a nice version of brambles!). It can be something quite aggressive as the bank is separate from the rest of the garden so quite easy to contain.

The bank is quite steep and stoney. It would be nice if things had a pleasant scent too

All help gratefully received

MIL grows hops over her septic tank!

I grow nettles by mine! How about something that will benefit from the fertiliser- thornless blackberries? Raspberries?

Honeysuckle and Jasmine

I have planted periwinkle (because it spreads well) and lily of the valley (because it is a shaded area, it spreads well, and the nice scent, of course!).

All excellent ideas! Thank you so much. Honeysuckle, Lily of the valley and jasmine are all perfect. Raspberries is a great idea too. I think I have periwinkle elsewhere and could introduce it.

Hops would make quite a feature of it

Off to he garden centre shortly, so will have a look at what they have now I've got some ideas

Dwarf lilac. Nice compact shrub with divine scented flowers in May.

Be careful of things with invasive roots - you don't want them damaging the tank! We had a budliea in a pot and when i went to move it i realised it had grown down through the concrete drive!

The garden centre people should know about stuff like that though, especially if it is a proper nursery.

Good point Fragglez! I was hoping that you planting it below it wouldn't be a problem.

Dwarf lilac sounds lovely too.

Thank you all

Make sure you do not impede access to the tank or you will find a lot of companies are not prepared to attend to tanker. Being on a bank causes it's own safety hazards without anything being added. A lot of our customers at work use potted plants that are easily moveable to make the area look nicer.

On a side note, the tank cover should be sat flush to the ground. How much is it raised by? Do you have a concrete biscuit it is sat in?

The top of the tank is on a level with the house, the lorry can park just beneath it so access shouldn't change. I won't be planting on top of it, just around the sides, there are breeze block walls around it